Background

The overall mandate of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is to provide leadership, operational support and oversight of the security management system to enable the safest and most efficient conduct of the Programmes and activities of the United Nations System.

The Joint-SIOC reports directly to the Chief Security Advisor for Somalia. Under the shared supervision of the Security Information Analyst (SIA) and the Security Operations Officer (SOO), the Local Security Assistant - Information & Operations (LSA I&0) will be responsible for the coordination and streamlining of information and operations functions within the SIOC including backstopping for the LSA Information and LSA Operations when required. 

The LSA I&O will maintain a current awareness of security-related developments in Somalia as well as potential implications for the safety and security of UN personnel or disruptions to UN activities. The LSA I&O will be expected to monitor daily situation reports, local media, and other sources and his/her duties will include conducting research in support of the SIA and assist the SOO to manage day-to day operations for Somalia including processing of security clearance requests and monitoring daily staff lists compilation and dissemination.

The LSA I&O will be expected to travel to Somalia and maintain an extensive network of contacts on the ground in order to support DSS Somalia field activities. The LSA I&O may also perform other duties, as directed by the Chief SIOC, to support the work of DSS Somalia, the UN, and the broader humanitarian environment in Somalia.

Travel to Somalia may involve harsh conditions and personal danger. The position has a possibility of being relocated to Somalia or to other locations outside Somalia when the situation permits.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports the SIA with security-related information acquisition and analysis.
• Supports the SOO to process security clearance requests.
• Support the SIA in production of written reports, including Daily Situation Reports and documents for sharing with SIA and SOO.
• Assists with verbal briefings regarding the security situation in Somalia and potential implications for the UN and the broader humanitarian community.

Supports the SIA with security-related information acquisition and analysis

• Assist in establishement and maintenance of a network of contacts for information exchange, including UN Organisations, NGO partners, local implementing partners and local authorities in relation to Somalia.
• Support the SIA in monitoring open source Somali media sites and provide inputs to and edits security reports and briefing notes regarding UN activities in Somalia.
• Assists SIA to verify and provide comment on reported security incidents.
• Regularly travels to Somalia to assist with information acquisition and verification.

Supports the SOO to process security clearance requests

• Supports the SOO receive and collate security clearance requests from UN Organisations and prepare consolidated worksheets for review by SOO.
• Supports the SOO in provision of initial advice and guidance to UN Organisations on security clearance procedures for Somalia.
• Assist the SOO in maintenance of a running register of approved security clearances for Somalia.

Produces draft written reports, including Daily Situation Reports and documents for sharing with SIA and SOO.

• Prepare the draft of the daily SITREP for review by the SOO.
• Provide translation summaries of significant reports obtained from open sources.
• Prepare inputs to verbal and oral briefings by the SIA.
• Assist SOO with the compilation and dissemination of the consolidated staff list to the relevant staff.
• Provide inputs to ad hoc thematic analysis reports as required.

Assists with verbal briefings regarding the security situation in Somalia and potential implications for the UN and the broader humanitarian community.

• Participates in the weekly SIOC internal meeting covering security information and operations updates and when necessary provides the significant security incident update for Somalia.
• Liaises with LSA’s at locations throughout Somalia in order to assess implications on UN activities as the result of security incidents.
• Assists the SOO with pre-mission briefings on the Somalia security situation to UN personnel intending to travel to Somalia.

Impact of Results

The results of the work of the LSA greatly impact on the successful implementation of the UN programme and its humanitarian and development results in Somalia, and the ability to advise UN senior management and other humanitarian actors on information-led operations that will enable the safe and efficient delivery of programmes in the field.

Competencies

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity 
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP/UNDSS
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• In-depth knowledge of development issues
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP/UNDSS
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve problems
• Ability to supervise and train support staff
• Demonstrates excellent presentation skill
• Proven and sustained communication (verbal and written) skills.
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource
• Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to listen and work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor his/her own work plan with minimum supervision. Ability to work under pressure or in crisis situations. Availability to travel within the area of responsibility.

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Ability to actively seek to improve services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs, and promote and persuade others to consider new ideas

Required Skills and Experience

• Secondary education is the minimal requirement. 
• University degree in Journalism, Education, Political Science, Public or Business Administration or related field is desirable but not a requirement.

• Minimum 5 years relevant work experience in security-related information or operations is required.  
• Knowledge or experience of the United Nations or similar security risk management models is desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Knowledge of database development and exploitation.
  
• Experience in working with iBASE and Analyst Notebook would be a significant asset.
• An in-depth understanding of Somalia and the ability to travel freely throughout permissive areas of Somalia is a requirement.

Language Requirements:            

• English is the working language of the SIOC for Somalia.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali languages is required.
• Knowledge of Swahili or Arabic languages is desirable